By Lucy Phillips | 5 August 2011
Almost half of public sector workers would rather take a cut in their pay than in their pension, according to a survey published today.
The poll of more than 1,000 public sector workers by recruitment consultancy Badenoch and Clark found that 45% would rather their salary was reduced than their pension package. Over half (54%) also said threats to benefits such as pensions were worth striking over.
The findings come after the government’s announcement last week that employee contributions would rise by up to 6% for civil servants, teachers and health workers. Public sector staff have already taken strike action over the proposed changes to their pensions.
Almost three-quarters (73%) of those responding to the survey said morale in the public sector was average or poor.
Nicola Linkleter, managing director at Badenoch and Clark, said: ‘The public sector remains in a state of crisis. With morale low, further cuts looming, and pension contributions set to rise exponentially, managers must continue to ensure that workers understand the future direction and opportunities within the sector.’
But despite the recent cuts and redundancies in the public sector, a quarter of senior managers and a third of London-based workers do not believe private sector benefits packages match those in the public sector, the survey shows.
Linkleter added: ‘Workers will remain loyal to their employer so long as they perceive that their employer is committed to its workforce. This commitment must include clarity on pension reform. Lack of transparency will further damage morale and could lead to further strikes.’
